Its primary founder was Vera Bartone Goelier, supported by other students of the junior, sophomore and freshman class.

[1] On July 28, 1927 the sorority changed its name to Sigma Phi Beta (ΣΦΒ), in anticipation of a merger six months later with the three chapters of Phi Alpha Chi, which it effected on January 7, 1928 after "find[ing] their interests and purposes similar...".

Phi Alpha Chi had its origin as The Tanewah Club in 1919 at Berkeley.

[1] According to the 1931 edition of The Sorority Handbook there were 10 active chapters of Sigma Phi Beta, with 1,000 members (p. 79).

Baird's reports that 15[3] were installed, with ten surviving to participate in the merger.